Visionary Athlete Development Director

This role is pivotal in driving the development of top-tier athletes through a structured and evidence-informed pathway. As Senior Talent Development Manager, you will oversee the implementation of comprehensive talent identification, recruitment, and confirmation processes.

• Pathway Strategy and Leadership
  • Design and execute a multifaceted IIS talent pathway from talent identification to talent recruitment.
  • Collaborate with marketing teams to create clear marketing campaigns and social media publicity around IIS opportunities and how to sign up for consideration/trials.
  • Actively engage in long-term strategic planning and review processes with senior leadership team members.
• Talent Identification and Development
  • Coordinate and deliver annual talent identification programs, including multi-stage testing and profiling.
  • Develop sport-specific benchmarking and profiling systems in collaboration with sports scientists and national/international benchmarks performance standards.
  • Drive new initiatives such as talent transfer and special scouting projects to fill critical talent gaps.
  • Implement Athlete Recruitment Management Systems (ARMS) to ensure a comprehensive talent database is maintained across all chosen sports.
• Program Design and Delivery
  • Oversee annual planning, marketing, and scheduling of creative talent identification campaigns that create pathways across all IIS sports.
  • Ensure every athlete is supported throughout any talent recruitment campaign, and all communication is simple and clear to understand.
  • Establish 'How to' participate in IIS talent identification and recruitment campaigns via modern video mediums and publish on a frequent basis.
  • Create a clear graphical IIS prospectus outlining the offer to each athlete who we are looking to recruit to the program or take part in a talent recruitment day.
  • Develop a payment and reward system for athletes that attracts top talent while elevating the importance of prioritizing an Olympic Medal winning journey over the Indian National title.
• Staff and Stakeholder Management
  • Work alongside HR team members to recruit and develop a talent scouting and talent recruitment team.
  • Lead the pathways team to build and develop relationships with key stakeholders, club coaches, parents, national federations, and other required stakeholders.
• Data, Review & Insights
  • Track and monitor athlete talent using real-time performance analytics, benchmarking tools, and regular reviews.
  • Lead pathway reviews and work to elevate the club structure with annual CPD opportunities for club coaches maintaining a positive relationship with IIS.
  • Use national and international performance trends to inform talent recruitment strategy, selection, and long-term investments.
• Education and Welfare Integration
  • Collaborate with educational pathways team for athlete welfare and dual career programs to ensure they are embedded within talent development structures.
  • Facilitate induction, transition, and exit processes for athletes entering and exiting the pathway.
• Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure compliance with institutional, national, and international regulatory frameworks including anti-doping, safeguarding, and donor requirements.
  • Prepare program reports, athlete summaries, and budget justifications as required.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Proven leadership in talent development and pathway management in Olympic or elite sports settings.
• 5–8 years experience in performance sport (preferably multi-sport or Olympic disciplines).
• Deep understanding of athlete development science, systems, and transition needs from junior to elite.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and program management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, staff, and complex logistics.

Desirable:

• Coaching qualifications in relevant sports.
• Understanding of India's high-performance sports ecosystem.
• Previous involvement with national/international federations.
• Knowledge of long-term athlete development models and international medal trajectory planning.
• Experience with athlete management systems, data platforms, and performance tracking tools.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to travel and work weekends/irregular hours.
• Ability to travel domestically.
• Subject to police verification and background checks as per IIS compliance policy.